According to a report in The Indian Express, Gujaratministers met representatives of at least seven Rajput organisations in Gandhinagar and convinced them to refrain from participating in the “Bharat bandh” called to protest the release of the Bollywood film “Padmaavat” on Thursday.

The meeting held with 15-odd leaders was chaired by minister for law and justice Bhupendrasinh Chudasma and minister of state for home Pradeepsinh Jadeja.

President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday made a veiled attack on the protests against Padmaavat, saying disagreements should not mock a fellow citizen's dignity and personal space.

The president's attack in his first Republic Day eve address to the nation came against the backdrop of violence in some states by supporters of Rajput outfit Karni Seva who opposed the release of the Sanjay Leela Bansali-directed film on Thursday.

"A civic-minded nation is built by civic-minded neighbourhoods, whether in our cities or our villages. Where we respect the next-door person's space, privacy and rights. Where we do not inconvenience our neighbours while celebrating a festival or while resorting to a protest or on any other occasion.

"Where one can disagree with another viewpoint — or even with a historical context — without mocking a fellow citizen's dignity and personal space. This is fraternity in action."

IANS

19:14 (IST)

Will watch 'Padmaavat' with other Rajput leaders: Manish Sisodia

Condemning the attack on a school bus in Gurugram allegedly by Karni Sena supporters on Wednesday over the release of Padmaavat, Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia on Thursday said he will watch the film with Rajput leaders like him and brief the people about it later.

"I am myself a Rajput. I was totally moved because of Wednesday's incident. This is a criminal act. I invited many Rajput leaders to discuss the recent developments and the violence (centering the movie). We are totally against these acts," Sisodia told media persons.

"I and many other Rajput leaders will watch Padmaavat Thursday and see what is the reality and then will brief people about the film," he said.

IANS

19:04 (IST)

Watch: Suraj Pal Amu being taken into custody by Gurugram police

Video courtesy: Sat Singh/101Reporters

19:03 (IST)

Posters being removed from cinema hall in Mirzapur to avoid fringe elements

Former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda alleged that the violence in the state was a result of BJP government's failure in taking timely steps to take precautionary measures. "First BJP Govenment does not handle situation, then it get people killed by the bullets of police and Army", Hooda said in Bhiwani of Haryana.

- Sat Singh/101Reporters

18:39 (IST)

Fear shuts out Padmaavat in Bhopal

Image courtesy: PTI

18:33 (IST)

Hope Indians across all states get to watch 'Padmaavat', say makers

As "Padmaavat" released in 4,000-plus screens in India, barring a few states, the movie's makers said the first day response has been overwhelming, but they hope Indians across all states get to watch it.

"We are humbled with the response we have received for 'Padmaavat'. Over 1 million Indians have already watched the film and occupancy levels for shows are very strong across more than 4,000 screens — with most running housefull. The feedback for the film has been overwhelming," a Viacom18 Motion Pictures spokesperson said in a statement.

"We are grateful to the government, state authorities, police and our fans for making the opening a stellar success. We are hopeful that every Indian — across all states — will get a chance to see the film especially as we celebrate our great nation's 69th Republic Day," the spokesperson added.

18:27 (IST)

Gurugram police says will act against Suraj Pal Singh 'accordingly'

He (Suraj Pal Amu) has been taken under preventive custody. He will be produced or action will be taken accordingly: Kuldeep Singh, DCP East Gurugram #Padmaavatpic.twitter.com/aOrQhGMMy9

Schools in Gujarat's Mahisagar district asked not to use Padmaavat songs in Republic Day events

Government schools in Gujarat's Mahisagar district have been asked not to include programmes based on songs or scenes of the film Padmaavat during the Republic Day celebrations on Friday.

District primary education officer Kishor Jani on Thursday said that schools will organise several cultural programmes on Republic Day."The schools have been told not to include programmes based on songs and scenes of this film during cultural events to be held on 26 January," Jani said, adding, "It is a positive step to avoid any controversy."

He said the suggestion has been made to the schools as there has been a controversy over the film Padmaavat, and some parts of the state have witnessed violence.

PTI

18:16 (IST)

Karni Sena supporters set fire to cars owned by one of them

In an incident which took place on Wednesday, Karni Sena activists reportedly torched a Maruti Swift car belonging to one of them during a protest in Bhopal, reported India Today.

Six people were detained in connection with the incident, according to India Today. A large group of activists then assembled at the MP Nagar police station demanding that a case not be registered.

18:10 (IST)

Padmaavat screened in Punjab, Haryana amid security

"Padmaavat" was screened across Punjab and Haryana on Thursday to a good response from viewers amid tension and security around multiplexes and cinema halls in both the states.

With scores of armed policemen and private guards stationed in and around the multiplexes and cinema halls, most shows reported high to full occupancy.

Haryana director general of police BS Sandhu said in Chandigarh that the film was being screened incident-free in 33 cinema halls across nine districts in Haryana. "No disturbance has been reported from anywhere," he said.

IANS

17:56 (IST)

Karnataka shutdown delays Padmaavat shows in Bengaluru

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The shutdown across Karnataka on Thursday has delayed the screening of "Padmaavat" here as the movie halls remained shut till Thursday evening.

"As a result of the shutdown in the city, multiplexes will remain closed till about 6 pm and the Padmaavat would be screened at a majority of theatres in the city only after that," the manager of one of the popular cinema halls said.

The 12-hour shutdown is being observed for Mahadayi river water from the neighbouring state of Goa to meet the drinking needs of the people in the state's four northwest districts of Belagavi, Bagalkote, Dharwad and Hubballi.

A PIL was on Thursday filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, seeking action against Karni Sena activists for "disturbing peace" in the wake of the release of "Padmaavat".

The Sanjay Leela Bansali directed period drama was released across the country today despite opposition from the Rajput outfit and several other organisations.

The PIL, filed by advocate Ranjan Lakhanpal, also sought directions from the court that the governments of those states where incidents of violence and protests took place be held accountable and be asked to pay for damages caused by Karni Sena activists.

PTI

16:51 (IST)

Haryana DGP BS Sandhu statement on screening of Padmavat:

Any cinema owner willing to screen in his theatre can approach through concerned deputy commissioner and he would be provided complete police protection by the state police.

No Karni Sena member or organization was allowed to protest in the state after Wednesday’s violence in Gurugram.

Those protesting or trying to obstruct the screening of Padmavat would be dealt with strict action.

Around 31 persons have been arrested and four FIRs have been registered in relation to the protest regarding the movie.

No untoward incident has been reported from the cities or cinema halls where the movie is being screened.

Suraj Pal Ammu, who put Rs 10-crore bounty on Padmavati makers, is not being allowed to move out of his residence.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali's controversial film 'Padmaavat' opened in 129 theatres in and around Kolkata on Thursday, a spokesperson of the movie distributor

said.

'Padmavaat' shows are running smoothly everywhere in the city with no sign of protest anywhere, a police officer said, adding that elaborate security arrangements have been put in place.

"The film is running in 129 theatres, including single-screens and multiplexes, in Kolkata and its surrounding areas and there is no report of any disruption as yet," the spokesperson of SVF, the distributor of the film, said.

"In many auditoriums, the shows are running houseful while the response has been good in others," she said.

PTI

16:33 (IST)

Mirzapur police detains one in connection with the petrol bomb hurled at a cinema hall on Wednesday night. - Saurabh Sharma/101 reporters

16:24 (IST)

Rajasthan home minister says law and order 'peaceful' in state

Law&order situation is peaceful across the state. Only 2 minor incidents have been reported in Jalore& Udaipur. If multiplexes ask for protection we'll certainly give it to them.Appeal people to protest peacefully, not take law into their hands: Rajasthan Home Minister #Padmaavatpic.twitter.com/Wrp5NdVovO

At a press conference on Thursday, Haryana Police said, "As per Supreme Court's order, Padmaavat has been released in nine cities in Haryana, which included Gurgaon, Faridabad, Hissar, Sirsa, Fatehabad, Rohtak, Sonipat, Rewadi. Thirty three cinema halls have been screening the movie without any interruption."

Calling the stone pelting on a school bus in Gurugram an "isolated incident", the police said. "Unfortunately, there was a school bus incident Gurugram. About 18 people have been arrested. Considering the offences against them, it will be difficult for them to get bail."

The police said that police protection has been provided to cinema halls. "If anybody takes part, strict action will be taken against them. We assure the filmmakers that protection we will provided to you," he said. A total of 54 police companies have been deployed.

15:37 (IST)

Home ministry sources says two states have approached Centre for help

MHA is keeping a track of incidents around release of #Padmaavat and is in touch with all states over security measures. So far two states have asked for help from Central Govt: Sources Ministry of Home Affairs

Thane theatre cancels late night and early morning show timings due to lack of police protection

At Cinepolis multiplex in Thane's Viviana mall, Thursday's night shows that were to start after 9:30 pm and Friday's shows that were to start before 9:30 am have been cancelled as during this period, the mall won't have police protection. Police force will be deployed for the Republic Day celebrations.

This is to be noted that despite no semblance of threat, the multiplex has been cautious to screen the movie without police protection.

Junaghad's Manavadar taluka in Gujarat closes shops in support of bandh. Rajput leaders Vikramsigh Chavda and Mahendrasigh Chavda from Junaghad led a rally and submitted a memorandum demanding ban of the film to the mamlatdar.

- Binita Parikh/101 Reporters

14:29 (IST)

Why is Centre silent on violence, asks Congress' Priyanka Chaturvedi

Congress' Priyanka Chaturvedi on Thursday lashed out at the BJP government over the law and order issue in the country. She said, "The question is not about Karni Sena. When you are confronted with a situation like this, where people especially children suffer... What happens to you? They (BJP) should be ashamed of themselves that they continue to play politics over these issues."

Chaturvedi hit out at the ministry and broadcasting industry. "When Smriti Irani can tweet about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's daily schedule, couldn't she have discussed the problem with the protestors. The things you could've avoided, you separated yourself from them and have instead encouraged the protests," she said.

"The question is not about Congress but about country's law and order. Either resign or take responsibility, she added.

14:22 (IST)

Tyres burnt on highway inBecharaji

Becharaji, is famous for the temple of eunuchs. Tyres were burnt on a highway in support of the bandh in Gujarat.

- Binita Parikh/101 reporters

14:18 (IST)

Ruckus in Punjab's Zirakpur town over release of Padmaavat

Shiv Sena supporters create ruckus in Paras downtown mall.

- Arjun Sharma/101 Reporters

14:06 (IST)

Those accused of damaging buses of a school produced in court: 101 Reporters

14:05 (IST)

Gurugram tense but peaceful now; over 1,500 cops deployed

Tension prevailed in Gurgaon but situation remained largely peaceful as heavy police presence ensured that there was no untoward incident in the city on account of Padmaavat protest. Over 1500 cops have been deployed in the city to keep the protesters in check.

Cinemagoers for Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s film Padmaavat had to stare at cancellation circulars of the movie instead at the Ambience Mall on Thursday morning, a day after the city witnessed violence by those protesting against its release.

Despite being heavily fortified with security officials, several malls across the city where the movie is being screened appeared deserted after many people chose to stay away from any untoward incident.

- Sat Singh/101 Reporters

14:02 (IST)

Haryana DGP to address press conference at around 3.30 pm

- Sat Singh/101 Reporters

14:01 (IST)

Tyres burnt on Halol Baroda highway

Tyres were burnt on Halol Baroda highway in support of a bandh to stop vehicle movement to and from Baroda in Gujarat.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film Padmaavat has been mirred in much controversy ever since it was announced in 2017. After multiple changes, pleas and controversy, the film's name was changed from Padmavati to Padmaavat, and it still saw a four state ban in the last few days, following multiple threats from the Rajput Karni Sena.

Sstill from the film Padmaavat

Gujarat, Madhya Pradhesh, Rajastha and Haryana banned the film (and in MP even the song 'Ghoomar' was banned).

The film had been given a go-ahead by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) — and even after the title-change, amendments suggested by the board and finally getting a 'U/A' certification, there had been declared banned in four states including Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana.

The filmmakers approached the Supreme Court of India and pleaded to intervene. Celebrated Indian lawyers Harish Salve and Mukul Rohatgi are representing the producers of the film, Viacom 18, TV reports claim. Now the supreme court has stayed a ban on the film, calling it a serious matter and "destroying federal structure."

Recently, the makers of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film had released an advertisement listing all the disclaimers, clarifying controversies surrounding the film.

Last month, during the certification process of the film, Bhansali appeared before a parliamentary panel where he said that the film is an adaptation of Sufi poet Malik Muhammad Jayasi's Padmavat.